This
class of locomotives continues a tradition of importing second hand ex UK
locomotives! Somewhat like the Class 1500 before it, the Acts class 58
are EWS cast offs. Built for the British Rail freight operation these locomotives
were designed with an eye for the export market with easy access and simple
to maintain features. No orders were forthcoming and the class 58 was the
last UK built mainline locomotive emanting from Doncaster works. Now all
withdrawn and stored, a small batch has been scured for the ACTS operation
and up to 5 machines are expected to follow 5811. Another 2 are working
for GIF in Spain on high speed line construction duties alongside surplus
Class 37's

No 5811 at Zutphen following delivery from the UK and undergoing safety
systems checks befoire entering service between Rotterdam and Venlo. The
loco is not fitted with the German Indusi signalling system and as yet cannot
work into Germany- Photo by Rodney Beech

Technical Details

Number Scheme

5811 ex EWS 58039

5812 ex EWS 58044

5813 expected to be ex EWS 58038

Another Shot of 5811 at Zutphen - Photo by RW Beech

Photo by RW Beech

Photo by Henk Hartsuiker

More Class 58's for ACTS

The contract between Acts and Vos Logistics has been extended by another 5 years and the train service now covers two daily return container trains from Rottgerdam to the North of the country. On hte strength of this contract, Acts is taking forward the leasing of another 3 EWS Class 58 locomotives and the first, 58046, to be ACTS 5813 is to be prepared at Toton. VOS branding may be carried and there is a rumour that the locomotive could be delivered ion Vos's house livery of black and orange. The remaining two locomotives are expected to be 58036 and 58038 bringing the total on hire to 5. There are also 14 in France and 8 in Spain which is 27 of the total number of machines built.

Of the exisiting pair, 5811 (58039) suffered a slow speed derailment in Maasvlakte yard on July 13th and will mean replacement wheelsets on one bogie. It is not clear whether these will be sourced from the UK.

Acts 5812 at the head of a Freightliner at Rotterdam CS on July 7th 2004

Photos by Henk Hartsuiker

The three photos below show the latest arrivals - 5814 (ex 58038) in hte livery of VOS Logistics.